Remote control system for mining machines
First Claim
1. A mining machine remote control system for controlling one or more fluid-powered machine operating functions, said system comprising:
- (a) electro-control valve means for controlling the machine operating functions in response to operating function control signals, at least one valve in said means having proportional flow and deadband characteristics,(b) pendant means producing a separate operator-initiated remote control signal for each said machine operating function, at least one of these remote control signals having valve-related proportional characteristics, and(c) controller means receiving the separate remote control signals for producing the separate operating function control signals, at least one of these operating function control signals having the valve-related proportional flow characteristic modified by an offset signal component for overcoming valve deadband characteristics.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An intrinsically safe system controls all miner hydraulic and electrical functions from a hand held miner remote control pendant. Pendant control devices provide on/off control signals to interfaces with miner drive and pump controllers, as well as a group of ±6 VDC differential proportional and on/off control signals to respective electronic valve drivers. Valve driver outputs are fed to respective force motors on pilot stage valves which control each hydraulic function. Each valve driver output is modified by offset and dither signals to overcome power stage valve dead band and frictional characteristics. Pilot stage valves have an internal feedback sleeve coacting with a pilot valve spool in a hydraulic servo circuit. Pilot stage valves operate in a pilot oil system which may be isolated from power oil systems.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A mining machine remote control system for controlling one or more fluid-powered machine operating functions, said system comprising:
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(a) electro-control valve means for controlling the machine operating functions in response to operating function control signals, at least one valve in said means having proportional flow and deadband characteristics, (b) pendant means producing a separate operator-initiated remote control signal for each said machine operating function, at least one of these remote control signals having valve-related proportional characteristics, and (c) controller means receiving the separate remote control signals for producing the separate operating function control signals, at least one of these operating function control signals having the valve-related proportional flow characteristic modified by an offset signal component for overcoming valve deadband characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A mining machine system for remotely controlling one or more fluid-powered machine operating functions, said system comprising:
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(a) a pressurized fluid source, (b) electro-control valve means including a hydraulic servo-controlled pilot stage valve for each machining operation function which receives a separate operating function control signal, each pilot stage valve connected to the fluid source and to a load having proportional flow and/or valve deadband characteristics, and (c) remote control means initiated by an operator for the separate operating function control signals, at least one of said signals having valve-related proportional flow characteristics and/or modified by an offset signal component for overcoming the valve deadband characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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16. A mining machine system for remotely controlling one or more fluid-powered machine operating functions, said system comprising:
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(a) a pressurized power fluid source susceptible to contamination, (b) a pressurized control fluid source isolated from the power fluid source, (c) electro-control valve means including a hydraulic servo-controlled pilot stage valve for each machine operating function which receives a separate operating function control signal, each pilot stage valve connected hydraulically to the control fluid source and coupled mechanically to a corresponding power stage valve which is connected hydraulically to the power fluid source, at least one power stage valve having proportional flow and deadband characteristics, and (d) remote control means initiated by an operator for producing the operating function control signals, at least one of said signals having valve-related proportional flow characteristics modified by an offset signal component for overcoming the valve deadband characteristics.
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Specification